Choosing the Right Tool

The ad spy tool market has exploded. With dozens of options available, how do you choose the right one? Here are the five non-negotiable features.

1. Real-Time Ad Discovery

The best tools surface new ads within hours, not days. Stale data leads to stale strategies. Look for tools that offer real-time or near-real-time ad discovery across major platforms.

2. Advanced Filtering

You need to slice and dice data by:

• Platform (Meta, TikTok, Google, etc.)
• Industry or niche
• Ad format (video, image, carousel)
• Date range
• Engagement metrics

3. Creative Downloads

Being able to download ad creatives (images, videos) is essential for inspiration boards, team presentations, and reference libraries.

4. Brand & Competitor Tracking

Set up watchlists for specific brands and get notified when they launch new campaigns. This is the foundation of competitive intelligence.

5. Collaboration Features

Marketing is a team sport. The best tools let you:

• Save ads to shared folders
• Add notes and tags
• Share collections with teammates

The Bottom Line

Don't settle for a tool that only checks one or two boxes. The right ad spy tool should be a complete intelligence platform that powers your entire creative workflow.